SEPARATION Synonyms: 142 Similar and Opposite Words

separation

noun

ˌse-pə-ˈrā-shən

Definition of separation

as in dissolution

the act or process of a whole separating into two or more parts or pieces the separation of Norway and Sweden into two independent nations in 1905

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in distinction

the state of being kept distinct the separation of church and state is an important concept in the United States

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as in divergence

a movement in different directions away from a common point a sudden separation of the herd of deer when they were startled

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as in gap

an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge) the narrow separation between posts in the fence

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as in departure

the act or process of two or more persons going off in different directions friends who dreaded the inevitable separation after graduation

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as in divider

something that divides, separates, or marks off a filing cabinet with lots of adjustable separations

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of separation Pretenders have all been exposed, as contenders attempt to create even more separation from the pack down the stretch. — John Laghezza, New York Times, 31 July 2026 Jen Hamilton details husband's alleged 'double life' Hamilton and her husband Brian Hamilton, who married in 2012 and share two sons, announced their separation in a statement on June 15. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 31 July 2026 In the records request, the newspaper asked for the results of any vote, separation agreement, contract or investigation related to Dustman and his tenure as chief. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026 Despite Charles and Diana’s separation in 1992, both parents were present when Prince William started at Eton College in September 1995. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for separation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for separation

Noun

In 1991, amidst the Balkan region’s dissolution and prompted by the unfolding events, 6-year-old Maja and her parents make the decision to journey from Yugoslavia to Denmark.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
Fragmentation in the form of armed conflicts, tariff disputes and the dissolution of trade blocs is at an all-time high.

— Yasushi Sasaki, Fortune, 30 July 2026

Definition of dissolution

Noun

This of course gives the Charger the unenviable distinction of being a vehicle that is both statistically more dangerous to be inside in the event of a crash, as well as increasing the chances of another driver dying whenever one is involved.

— Adam Ismail, The Drive, 30 July 2026
The distinction is important for the development of useful quantum computers.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 July 2026

Definition of distinction

Noun

Watch vessel-level AIS tracking data for the Gibraltar corridor itself, the kind of transit-time and vessel-count monitoring the IMF's PortWatch initiative already runs, for any early divergence from the roughly 300-vessels-per-day baseline.

— Frank Ahrens, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
But the dramatic divergence of the new measurement from the detector’s own past results, along with the collaboration’s claim of high precision, made the situation hard to ignore.

— Matt von Hippel, Quanta Magazine, 29 July 2026

Definition of divergence

Noun

The exchange came as the county office projects the district will need to close a $150 million gap by June 2027 to avoid a state takeover.

— Chaewon Chung Updated July 31, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Managers who are not developing become the ceiling for every person under them, and the accumulation of underdeveloped management ceilings is what an 80% pipeline-confidence gap looks like from the inside.

— Cindy Rodriguez Constable, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of gap

Noun

Stribling has impressed during training camp and could have a significant role as a slot receiver following the departure of Jauan Jennings in free agency to the Minnesota Vikings.

— Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
This is, of course, a significant departure from Tony Blair’s aim of creating a modern workforce that was largely university-educated.

— Roger Trapp, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026